CCM Hockey Donates New Equipment to Special Needs Toronto-Area Hockey Club

November 8, 2018

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 7, 2018--Today, CCM Hockey and Toronto Maple Leafs star defenceman Morgan Rielly came together to surprise the Mississauga Crusaders Special Hockey Club with new equipment. Rielly and CCM hosted a special practice for an excited group of 48 special needs hockey players, who accepted the surprise donation with longtime coach Brent Christensen in front of dozens of coaches, parents and fans at Iceland Arena in Mississauga, Ontario.

Founded in 1995, the Mississauga Crusaders Special Hockey Club is a registered Non-Profit Organization geared to providing developmentally challenged children and adults the opportunity to play hockey, regardless of their skating abilities or hockey skills. The mission of the Club is to give these individuals the opportunity to form the kind of relationships that only teammates can appreciate.

“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to help the incredibly dedicated hockey players of the Mississauga Crusaders continue to play the game that they love and reach their full potential both on the ice and in the broader community” said Rielly. “The players, coaches and parents of the Crusaders are an inspiration to the entire hockey world and their passion reminds me of why I fell in love with the sport.”

The new equipment and gear will be used throughout the season for the Crusaders’ Junior, Intermediate and Senior teams’ practices and games. The donation will provide players and their families with some of the necessary equipment they need to pursue the sport they love -- while offsetting some of the mounting financial pressures associated with suiting up for the ice.

“The club is ecstatic with the brand new equipment and gear from CCM,” said coach Christensen. “Operating a hockey club for special needs players for almost two decades is an incredible feat, however, it hasn’t come devoid of its challenges. A lot of these players have fallen in love with the game of hockey, but the sport isn’t a cheap one to participate in. Without organizations and businesses like CCM, who reach out to extend a hand, ice hockey for children and adults in our community would struggle to exist.”

Through its equipment donation program and other community initiatives, CCM aims to help players of all ages and skill levels engage with the sport of hockey, while helping to alleviate barriers to the endeavor. CCM believes providing players of all ages with the proper equipment will give them the opportunity to participate in the game they love for the rest of their lives.

About CCM Hockey

CCM Hockey is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of hockey equipment and related apparel. With its headquarters located in Montreal, the company has operations in Canada, the United States and Europe. CCM Hockey equips more professional hockey players than any other company, including superstars like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid and John Tavares. CCM Hockey is also the preferred equipment supplier of the National Hockey League and the official outfitter of the American Hockey League, the Canadian Hockey League, and several NCAA and national teams. For more info, visit: www.ccmhockey.com.